{"id":25626,"date":"2026-08-18T08:50:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T07:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skyparksecure.com\/blog\/?p=25626"},"modified":"2026-09-01T09:13:16","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T08:13:16","slug":"air-miles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skyparksecure.com\/blog\/air-miles\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Air Miles: 10 Ways to Collect Free Air Miles in UK"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Air miles often sound like a luxury, reserved for jet-setting frequent business travellers. In reality though, they\u2019re available to almost everyone. Even occasional travellers and families can gain valuable rewards by joining frequent flyer programmes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A
Erik Odiin<\/a> – Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Air miles are one of the best ways to save money on travel. Building on our own experience with some key research, we\u2019ve put together a guide on how to accrue air miles. This way, you won\u2019t need to spend countless hours in the air to get a free flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere are so many different frequent flyer programmes it\u2019s pointless to sign up for all of them\u2026 you need to focus on one or two that are most likely to benefit you.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The key isn\u2019t signing up to every loyalty scheme available. Instead, it\u2019s about being strategic, and matching the programmes that fit best to your travel habits. Making the most of everyday opportunities is also crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to discover how to start building your balance, and get closer to your next reward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) Understand the Frequent Flyer Schemes Useful to You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are countless frequent flyer programmes out there, but signing up for all of them can\u2019t be the best approach. If you spread your points across too many schemes, it\u2019ll take much longer to earn enough for a good reward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, you need to focus on one or two that are most likely to benefit you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the UK, the two biggest frequent flyer programmes are The British Airways Club<\/a> and Virgin Atlantic\u2019s Flying Club<\/a>. Both work in a similar way. You earn points every time you fly. The more miles you travel and the more you\u2019ve spent on the ticket, the more points you\u2019ll accrue. Then, when you\u2019ve earned enough points, you can use them to book a complimentary flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider the airlines and destinations you use most often. British Airways, for example, is part of the Oneworld airline alliance<\/a>. This lets you earn and redeem Avios across a large network of partner airlines around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where airline alliances come into play, and can help you make the most of every trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Sign-Up to One Scheme from Each Alliance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each airline has its own frequent flyer scheme, but they understand that it\u2019s not feasible for customers to stick to them exclusively, especially when flying to different parts of the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many airlines have joined forces with global alliances, so it\u2019s easier to earn and use points across multiple carriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

oneworld<\/th>Star Alliance<\/th>SkyTeam<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
American Airlines<\/td>Adriatic<\/td>Air France<\/td><\/tr>
British Airways<\/td>Aegean<\/td>Aerolineas Argentinas<\/td><\/tr>
Cathay Pacific<\/td>Air Canada<\/td>Aeromexico<\/td><\/tr>
Finnair<\/td>Air China<\/td>Air Europa<\/td><\/tr>
Iberia<\/td>Air India<\/td>Air France<\/td><\/tr>
Japan Airlines<\/td>Air New Zealand<\/td>China Airlines<\/td><\/tr>
Qatar Airways<\/td>ANA<\/td>China Eastern<\/td><\/tr>
Malaysia Airlines<\/td>Asiana Airlines<\/td>China Southern<\/td><\/tr>
Qantas<\/td>Austrian<\/td>Czech Airlines<\/td><\/tr>
SriLankan Airlines<\/td>Avianca<\/td>Delta<\/td><\/tr>
Royal Jordanian<\/td>Brussels Airlines<\/td>Garuda Indonesia<\/td><\/tr>
S7 Airlines<\/td>CopaAirlines<\/td>Kenya Airways<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Croatia Airlines<\/td>KLM<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Egyptair<\/td>Korean Air<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Ethiopian<\/td>MEA<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Eva Air<\/td>Saudia<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>LOT Polish Airlines<\/td>TAROM<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Lufthansa<\/td>Vietnam Airlines<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Scandinavian Airlines<\/td>Virgin Atlantic<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Shenzhen Airlines<\/td>Xiamen Air<\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Singapore Airlines<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>South African Airways<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>SWISS<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>TAP Portugal<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Thai Airways<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>Turkish Airlines<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>United<\/td><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Instead of joining every frequent flyer scheme you come across, it\u2019s far more simple to focus on one from each alliance. Choose the one you\u2019re most likely to fly with. That way, if your preferred airline doesn\u2019t operate a particular route, you can fly with a partner and still earn points in the same loyalty programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you\u2019re a member of The British Airways club, but British Airways doesn\u2019t offer the flight to Spain you need, you can fly with Iberia instead. Just add your British Airways club membership number during booking, and you\u2019ll earn Avios points on your usual account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Do Your Online Shopping Through Your Air Miles Programme<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"A
rupixen<\/a> – Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Both Avios<\/a> (the air miles currency used by many airlines including British Airways) and Virgin allow you to collect points while you\u2019re shopping online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before buying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n